The case known as “New York Times Company v. United States” or “Pentagon Papers Case” took place in 1971, when the United States of America was involved in the war with North Vietnam. Some documents of the Defense Department, related to the US activities in Vietnam and presenting the documents of national security, leaked into press. The New York Times and Washington Post wanted to post them, relying on the First Amendment, declaring the freedom of the press. However, the government tried to prohibit the publication, stating that the First Amendment doesn’t provide an absolute freedom of the press, especially when it concerns national security. They maintained their position by the strife to protect their people and the country. Nevertheless, the New York Times Company won the case, since there can be no exclusion to the First Amendment, otherwise the whole statute can be doubted (New York Times Company v. United States).
This case had a great impact on the society and the press. As for the press, mass media received the confirmation of their right and acquired a serious argument and a precedent for any possible court cases in future. Many later causes were decided in the favor of the press, basing on this precedent. Moreover, people could apply to this historical event as a reason to express themselves more frankly and easily, since the First Amendment was said to have no exclusions or variant readings. Since the amendment was reported as practically having the absolute power and covering all spheres attributing to it, any person could share his or her opinion and any paper could publish the secret document as soon as it received the access to it.
With the invention of the Internet and social networks, people from different cities and countries started exchanging ideas and opinions more than even before. The case presented above helps the citizens of the United States express themselves without doubts, not afraid to be sued for his/her words, even if they concern the national security. However, we should still be careful for the sake of safety and never forget why national security is called so.
References
New York Times Company v. United States. (n.d.). Oyez. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from https://www.oyez.org/cases/1970/1873
